Handling unit, especially inserter

Abstract

The invention proposes a handling apparatus for moving sheet-like articles, in particular an inserter for pushing inserts into envelopes, in which apparatus a link hand, which forms part of a rectilinear-guidance mechanism formed from three links, has spring-loaded fingers which are articulated at the free end of the link hand and slide over a base plate during the operating stroke, while, during a return stroke, the fingers are raised off together from the base plate by means of a control guide arrangement. Said apparatus operates at high cycle speeds without disruption and requires the arrangement as a whole to be of just a small overall height.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A handling apparatus for moving sheet-like articles on a rectilinear, defined handling path, said handling apparatus comprising an inserter for pushing inserts into envelopes in an operating stroke in a handling direction, said inserter having a link arrangement which is framework-mounted above a horizontal base plate and which can be pivoted by a drive apparatus for producing pivot movements of the bottom part of the link arrangement in the direction of the handling path, and having, on the bottom part of the link arrangement, pivotable fingers which are prestressed downwards by spring means and of which the outer ends rest on the base plate during an operating stroke and, during the return stroke, are raised off together from the base by means of a control guide arrangement, wherein the link arrangement has two link arms which are framework-mounted above the base plate and are of different lengths, and a link hand which is connected to the bottom ends of the link arms via articulations and has the fingers articulated on its free section, which projects beyond its point of articulation for the longer of the two link arms, and in that the length of the longer link arm, of the shorter link arm and of the spacing between the articulations on the link hand are dimensioned such that the point of articulation of the fingers on the free section of the link hand is moved approximately horizontally over the base plate at least for a considerable part of the handling direction. 
     
     
       2. The handling apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein the drive apparatus acts, via a drive linkage actuated by a crank, on an angle leg which projects at an angle from the top end of one of the link arms, in the vicinity of articulation. 
     
     
       3. The handling apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein the fingers having groove-like paths on the base plate that intersect a transversely running slot in the base plate for the through-passage of conveying fingers of a conveying chain, extending through transversely beneath the base plate, for the articles which are to be conveyed. 
     
     
       4. The handling apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein on that side of the handling apparatus which is opposite the side on which the fingers are located, a conveying belt or a conveying chain for articles to be conveyed having conveying fingers, extends up to the handling apparatus, said conveying belt or conveying chain having a feeding direction corresponding to the handling direction of the handling apparatus, the path of conveying fingers of said conveying belt or conveying chain extending, between the paths of the fingers of the handling apparatus in the initial section of the operating stroke of the link arrangement. 
     
     
       5. The handling apparatus according to claim  4 , wherein the conveying speed of the conveying belt or of the conveying chain is coordinated with the speed of the link arrangement of the handling apparatus such that, in the initial section of the operating stroke, the fingers engage from behind with the trailing edge of the articles to be handled as such articles are pushed forwards by the conveying fingers of the conveying belt or conveying chain, and then advance forwards, overriding the conveying fingers of the conveying belt or conveying chain, said conveying fingers of the conveying belt or conveying chain, then being respectively lowered beneath the level of the base plate as the conveying belt or the conveying chain continues its operation. 
     
     
       6. The handling apparatus according to claim  4 , wherein the conveying belt or the conveying chain can be driven continuously. 
     
     
       7. The handling apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein the fingers are fastened on a common shaft with a small amount of rotary play, with loading by prestressing means between the finger and shaft, and wherein the shaft is retained in bearings of the link hand such that it can be rotated within a certain pivot region, said pivot region being subjected to loading by further stressing means between the shaft and the link hand.